Everything You Need to Know About Preventive Dental Care

Everything You Need to Know About Preventive Dental Care

Oct 01, 2021

Having a whole set of healthy teeth is everyone’s goal. Besides your daily dental routine at home, preventive dentistry plays a significant role in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. Good oral hygiene and health significantly reduce the risk of developing certain conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is a general dentistry branch that focuses on preventing dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and more. It involves regular dental check-ups and cleaning, along with an excellent at-home dental hygiene routine like brushing and flossing.

Who Can Benefit from Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is beneficial to individuals of all ages and genders. However, children and teenagers can benefit the most as preventive care ensures that their newly developing adult teeth grow strong and healthy.

Preventive care is also essential to older people, even those that have lost their teeth. If you or your children haven’t begun preventive care, it’s never too late to start. Visit a preventive dentist’s office today and get started on your journey to good oral health.

At-home Preventive Dental Care

Good oral health depends on what you do every day. Developing good dental habits from an early age will ensure a lifetime of good oral health and keep you away from cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Some dental hygiene tips include:

  • Brushing your teeth, tongue, and gums at least twice a day
  • Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride-based toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three months and avoid abrasive dental products
  • Floss daily to remove food particles stuck between the teeth. Use a mouthwash to rinse after eating and flossing.
  • Avoid acidic and sugary food
  • Avoid chewing hard or sticky food like bones, seeds, candy, or nuts.
  • Avoid smoking or tobacco products
  • Use a mouth guard during physical activity
  • Wear a nightguard if you have bruxism to reduce damage to the teeth and jaw

In-Office Preventive Dental Care

After doing your best at home, the rest is done in the dental office. Common preventive dentist treatments include:

When food particles get stuck between the gums, they harden to form plaque. If not cleaned, plaque hardens to tartar, which attaches to the tooth’s surface and within the gum line. Even with the most vigorous brushing and flossing, you can’t get rid of tartar. It requires special dental tools and products to remove.

During the dental cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar. If gum disease is there, the dentist may perform scaling and root planing. The dentist also polishes your teeth to remove stains, giving you a brighter smile. Cleaning your mouth reduces or prevents the likelihood of developing dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

  • Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are crucial for children and teenagers since they are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay. Dental sealant is a thin plastic paint that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They smoothen the tooth’s surface, preventing food particles and plaque from being trapped. This significantly reduces the risk of getting cavities.

Dental trauma is one of the key reasons behind tooth loss. When participating in sports or strenuous physical activity, you should wear a mouthguard. It reduces the impact of an accident, preventing damage to the teeth and other surrounding structures.

Mouthguards are also helpful for teeth grinding and clenching. Wearing a night guard when sleeping will reduce the damage of bruxism, preserving your teeth, and allowing you to sleep better.

  • Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride strengthens your tooth’s enamel and prevents tooth decay. While fluoride is found in tap water or toothpaste, you can still have your dentist give you fluoride treatment regularly. Fluoride also plays a significant role in preventing periodontal disease.

During your dental exam, your dentist will perform a comprehensive exam of your jaw, mouth, neck, teeth, and other structures to check for signs of dental problems. The dentist can also perform a cancer screening to check for early signs of oral cancer.

Early diagnosis and treatment of dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer can save you a lot of discomfort, time, and money in the long run.

Schedule An Appointment Today

Are you interested in preventive services? Contact Wellesley Dental Arts today to book your appointment.

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